Radio station joins challenge to secrecy in R. Kelly trial

Hearings, transcripts in case still closed

Following the lead of Chicago's two daily newspapers and the Associated Press, Chicago Public Radio station WBEZ filed a petition Monday asking that court transcripts in the R. Kelly case be unsealed.

Kelly's trial is scheduled to start May 9. The 41-year-old singer is accused of videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl.

Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan already has rebuffed a similar request from the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Associated Press by delaying a hearing until the day before the trial is to begin. On Monday, those organizations asked the Illinois Supreme Court to unseal court filings and open the proceedings.

Gaughan indicated Tuesday morning he will send sealed transcripts from closed-door hearings in the case to the Illinois high court for review. In the meantime, the records will remain sealed, he said.